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“Closing down the high school will be educational genocide. The much trumpeted zero percent college readiness is false. I have about 15 friends who are college ready—some going to Grand Valley State, Oakland State, Ball State, Arkansas Baptist College and other schools. This is deliberate misinformation. Benton Harbor will always be home. I plan to pursue studies in education so I can return to teach.” —Greg Hill, college bound Benton Harbor High graduate.
“I like the school because I am in the band and that makes me feel comfortable because all my friends go there and work together. Closing down the school will separate us from what we want to do with our lives.” —Damarion Lewis, 16.
His sister, Janyia Lewis 15, who wants to be a veterinarian, said “some friends have already switched schools.”
“I don’t want the school to close. All we have left of Benton Harbor is the high school.” —Dori Sallie
“The closing of schools is about removing people from urban spaces. This is happening all over the country.” — Gitu Brown, Journey for Justice Alliance
“The Master Plan came down from the notorious Whirlpool Corporation to tear down the school about 10 years ago. The map showed the high school as condominiums. It looks to me like the Whirlpool Corporation needs something to make the current mayor look good around election time. It’s typical big government politics on a local level.” — Jamie Davis, candidate for mayor of Benton Harbor.
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